Kris Boyd joins Nottingham Forest on loan

SCOTLAND striker Kris Boyd has made a loan switch from Middlesborough to npower Championship rivals Nottingham Forest.

The former Rangers forward's move comes after Boro manager Tony Mowbray's search for a goalkeeper finally paid dividends.

The 27-year-old will spend the rest of the season at the City ground, with 31-year-old keeper Paul Smith travelling in the opposite direction.

Mowbray said: "It's a good deal for the club and it's a good deal for the player (Boyd), who will hopefully get some game time and build his confidence back up."

Boyd joined Boro from Ibrox on a free transfer during the summer of last year with then manager Gordon Strachan believing he had pulled off something of a coup.

However, the goalscoring exploits which made the striker's name in the SPL have largely deserted him on Teesside and his 29 appearances to date have seen him find the back of the next just six times.

He leaves the north east with the club lying in 20th place in the table, just three points above the drop zone, to join promotion-chasing Forest, who are fifth ahead of tonight's trip to struggling Sheffield United, but just three points off an automatic promotion spot.

But Boro's need for a keeper became Mowbray's major concern when Jason Steele tore a stomach muscle during Saturday's 5-2 defeat at Reading.